Mike Bloomberg, in South Florida ‘Promised Land,’ sounds off on Donald Trump, guns and Andrew Gillum

Jennifer Lett / South Florida Sun Sentinel

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the Century Pines Jewish Center in Pembroke Pines on Oct. 7, 2018. He talked about Andrew Gillum, Donald Trump, gun violence and the "Promised Land" of South Florida.

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the Century Pines Jewish Center in Pembroke Pines on Oct. 7, 2018. He talked about Andrew Gillum, Donald Trump, gun violence and the "Promised Land" of South Florida. (Jennifer Lett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Michael Bloomberg, during a long weekend of political activities in South Florida, offered a range of views on key political people and issues.

Bloomberg, who’s been a Democrat, a Republican and an independent, is considering running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Gun violence is one of Bloomberg’s top issues. He’s the founder and major funder of the group Everytown for Gun Safety. He said meeting Friday night with people from the community that formed after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

“They know that it is time for change, and we need to elect candidates who will stand up to the NRA and support common sense gun laws,” Bloomberg said Sunday evening at the Century Pines Jewish Center.

He appeared at the synagogue at an event to bolster support among Jewish voters for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum. He just donated $250,000 to Gillum’s campaign. Earlier, his Everytown organization also donated $250,000 to Gillum. On Saturday night, he appeared at a Democratic Party fundraiser in West Palm Beach.

Andrew Gillum delivered a political — and strongly personal — argument on Sunday to Jewish voters, a critically important constituency for Democrats in the closely contested race for Florida governor.

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On Sunday in Pembroke Pines, Bloomberg also offered praise for U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston — by noting she isn’t beloved by everyone. “You are a nationally known figure in Congress. Some people like you, some don’t. But that says you’re doing something, and if everybody likes you or nobody likes you, you’re on the wrong side, so you really are making a difference here.”

Besides praising the Florida politicians, Bloomberg jabbed at President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.

He repeated a line from his speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention: “I’m a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one.”

“Unfortunately, I have been proven too correct. Nothing about the past two years has been a surprise, the mismanagement and corruption, the mistreatment of our allies, the attacks on truth, the cozying up to brutal dictators, the undermining law enforcement. Stop me when you’ve heard enough. This is just ridiculous. None of this has been a surprise. But what has been disappointing is how many Republicans have tolerated it and even supported it.”

Most Republicans, he said, have been as courageous as the Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz.” “And I think that might be unfair to the Cowardly Lion.”

He urged the audience of about 450 to involve themselves in the midterm elections. “It’s time to ignore those people that say you can’t change Washington, Washington’s meshugenah. It’s a Gaelic word, for those of you that don’t know,” he joked. “But this election, seriously, is too important to sit on the sidelines. So I urge you to get even more involved. This is an all hands on deck problem.”

The billionaire founder of a financial information company described himself to the audience at the Century Village condominium community as a “Jewish senior.”

He showed some familiarity with South Florida, which has so many former New Yorkers it’s often called the “Sixth Borough” of the city.

“South Florida always had a mythical status for our generation,” said Bloomberg, 76.

“Growing up there were two promised lands. One had Jerusalem and olive trees. And the other was Miami Beach and had Wolfie’s deli. Now Wolfie’s may be gone, but the memory of their kosher pickles will certainly live on forever.”